The footy world was fiercely divided after famend agitator Brayden Maynard was on the receiving finish of a excessive shot at Marvel Stadium on Friday night time.
Within the opening minutes of the massive conflict between Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs, Taylor Duryea had already been reported for an elbow in direction of Nick Daicos when Adam Treloar kicked a ball lengthy out of defence.
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As Maynard ready to take the mark, Bulldogs massive man Sam Darcy arrived late and leapt into the air, clattering into the again of the Pies defender with an elbow raised.
Maynard appeared shaken up and the second sparked a quick melee between the groups earlier than the Pie kicked a aim from a brief distance, having been awarded a 50 metre penalty.
The 27-year-old was capable of move a concussion take a look at and proceed, whereas the dissecting of the second started amongst footy specialists and followers.
“Oh he’s been cleaned up Maynard, Sam Darcy has acquired him with a giant bump,” Matt Granland stated in commentary on 3AW radio.
“He’s down and he’s transferring, however he was hit actual onerous Maynard.”
AFL legend Leigh Matthews reacted on 3AW, saying: “It was physique to physique however it’s definitely nonetheless going to harm and he’ll get a 50 metre penalty and have a shot from about 15 metres out.
“But it surely was simply the late, properly it’s greater than a spoil, it’s a bump.”
Granland added: “It was a bump. He selected to bump so he’s in massive hassle Sam Darcy with that one.”
Essendon nice Matthew Lloyd then chipped in, stating: “So (Bombers ahead) Peter Wright, he acquired 4 weeks didn’t he (for his excessive shot on Sydney’s Harry Cunningham)? However the participant was knocked out.
“It was a poor kick … the ball was sitting above Brayden Maynard.
“What you may’t do, (Darcy) form of turned to brace in a way, you may’t do this anymore.”
Matthews then stated: “I don’t suppose it was excessive although. I believe it was simply physique to physique, however that’s nonetheless per week or two (suspension) doubtlessly.
“Proper for the time being, Sam Darcy shall be pondering what the hell did I do this for?
“He was only a step or two late and he bumped him within the again mainly, which is form of unlawful in our recreation and I believe you get per week for that.”
Whereas the dialogue centred round any attainable sanction for Darcy, it was rapidly famous Maynard isn’t any stranger to the AFL Tribunal himself.
The defender was rubbed out for 2 matches for a excessive shot that concussed GWS’ Daniel Lloyd in a apply match two years in the past and he was additionally fined for staging in 2018.
His highest profile incident occurred in September final 12 months when Maynard’s tried smother knocked out Melbourne’s Angus Brayshaw, with the defender escaping sanction.
Followers nonetheless reacted strongly to the sight of Maynard on the Marvel Stadium turf on Friday night time, with some delighting within the heavy hit.
“Maynard cops a dose of his personal meds,” was one touch upon X.
“Sam Darcy might have simply pulled off one of many best particular person performs in AFL historical past,” wrote one other.
“The irony of that is priceless,” added a 3rd.
“Maynard acquired Maynarded,” wrote one other.
Others had been fast to level out it was a nasty hit from Darcy.
One commented: “Deserved or not, that may be a weak effort from the Bulldogs participant.”
One other supplied: “Get pleasure from your vacation.”
One other referred to as it a “low-cost shot” whereas a Collingwood fan stated merely: “Haters will hate.”
The Pies acquired off to a quick begin, kicking three of the sport’s first 4 objectives to leap out to an early lead.
The Bulldogs labored their approach into the competition, nonetheless, and had pulled to inside three factors on the major break, trailing 8.8 (56) to eight.5 (53) in a key top-eight battle.
